NUPRC fixes January 14 for pre-bid conference on 2025 oil blocks

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has announced January 14, 2026, as the date for the pre-bid conference for the 2025 oil and gas licensing round, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract fresh upstream investments.

In an announcement notice dated January 8, 2026, and signed by the commission’s Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the regulator stated that the conference would take place in Lagos.

The notice, published on the official X handle of the commission, read, “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is proud to announce the 2025 licensing round pre-bid conference scheduled for 9am on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.”

The pre-bid conference is a key milestone in the licensing round process and is expected to provide prospective investors with detailed guidance on the conduct of the bid exercise.

According to the commission, discussions at the conference will focus on the implementation timetable for the licensing round, bid package preparation, eligibility requirements, as well as the assessment criteria and procedures for determining winning bidders.

The NUPRC explained that the announcement followed an earlier notice published in both local and international newspapers, in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

“The focus areas of the upcoming pre-bid conference include the implementation timetable, bid package preparation, eligibility terms, and the assessment and winners’ determination procedure. Interested members of the public are urged to register for the pre-bid conference through the portal br2025.nuprc.gov.ng,” the notice stated.

It added that comprehensive information on the licensing round, including guidelines, block descriptions and participation instructions, is available on the commission’s website.

“Detailed information on the licensing round guidelines, block descriptions and participation instructions is also available on the website, nuprc.gov.ng. We look forward to your participation,” it concluded.

Recall that last year, the former Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, announced that the 2025 oil block licensing bid round would commence on December 1.

The 2025 licensing round, expected to offer 50 blocks across multiple terrains, is part of a broader agenda to rebuild confidence in Africa’s largest oil producer, deepen indigenous participation, and reposition Nigeria as a competitive investment destination.

The licensing round comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to reverse years of declining upstream investment caused by regulatory uncertainty, oil theft and project delays.

Since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, the NUPRC has overseen multiple bid rounds aimed at improving transparency, competitiveness and investor confidence in the upstream sector.

Pre-bid conferences have become increasingly important under the PIA regime, as they provide clarity on fiscal terms, compliance obligations and the evaluation framework, helping to reduce disputes and post-award uncertainty.

The last licensing round conducted by the commission attracted a mix of indigenous and international players, with the regulator pledging to ensure a transparent and commercially competitive process.

With global competition for upstream capital intensifying amid the energy transition, stakeholders expect the 2025 licensing round to play a critical role in Nigeria’s drive to boost crude oil production, monetise gas resources and stabilise government revenues.

The NUPRC said it looks forward to broad participation at the Lagos conference, signalling what could be another major test of investor appetite for Nigeria’s upstream assets.